ei guys, may nabasa akong article tungkol sa mymp... nabasa ko 'to sa ibang site.... actually sa site ni nina.... wala lang gusto ko lang i-share..... eto na...
It’s not only love that moves in mysterious ways but sales of rival records as well. Recently, acoustic duo M.Y.M.P.’s double disc "Versions & Beyond" under Ivory Records, ties the phenomenal sextuple platinum set by Warner Music’s Nina and her "Nine Live" CD.
This pushes their respective fans to ask, "Whose shall become 2005’s album of the year?"
"People have asked us about it but we’re really not concerned if it’s Nina’s album or ours that sell the most," says M.Y.M.P. vocalist Juris Fernandez during a press conference two days ago. "If people can buy both albums, then so much the better for us and the industry. M.Y.M.P. is just here to do its thing that, hopefully, others would enjoy and appreciate."
Aside from the acoustic thrust and sales of their records, M.Y.M.P. has two other things in common with the Soul Siren: Both "Versions" and "Nina Live" contain remakes of Julia Fordham’s "Love Moves In Mysterious Ways" and Vanessa Williams’ "Constantly."
Nina and M.Y.M.P. also had standing-room-only concerts last Oct. 1. Nina’s was held at the Araneta Coliseum while M.Y.M.P.’s was at the Music Museum. But not be outdone, M.Y.M.P. will be conquering the Big Dome, too, on Nov. 18 tickets to which have been moving briskly in retail even before it has been fully publicized.
"Nina and I cannot be compared," says Juris. "She’s packaged as a diva while I’m just a girl in a band who has no plans of going solo. She often hits high notes while I just sing as simply as I can. At saka mas sikat siya sa amin. Besides, we also have common fans as we do the same type of music in our latest CDs."
When asked if they have a copy of "Nina Live," both Juris and Chin Alcantara (M.Y.M.P. guitarist and musical director) affirmed.
"A friend lent me Nina’s album when it came out," Chin says. "I listened to it, liked what I heard, and bought my own copy."
How did they react when they found out they both did "Love Moves?"
"Wala. Anyone naman can do the song or any original as long as may bendisyon ng composer nito. On our part, we thought of doing ‘Love Moves’ because of insistent requests from fans that heard us do an impromptu version of it on a radio program. Since then, they would always look for the song in our gigs. Sayang naman kung i-boobootleg lang dahil wala silang makuhang legitimate recording, di ba? Kaya naman sinama na namin sa ‘Versions’ the concept of which, to begin with, is to compile songs often requested by fans from us in our gigs," explains Juris.
She adds: "And for the record, we never intended to have "Love Moves" released as a single. It’s not true that we had its release stopped because Nina beat us to putting hers out. Talagang plano pa sa simula that the first single would be ‘Get Me," an original, kasi ganun ang ginawa namin sa album prior to the new one."
Another act being pitted against M.Y.M.P. is a new acoustic duo that ex-M.Y.M.P. member Michael Angelo set up. He was Juris’ boyfriend for three years before they decided to call it quits just before M.Y.M.P. started promoting its debut CD in 2003.
"It was me and not Juris who sort of put pressure on Michael to quit," says Chin. "As musical director of the group, I knew Michael’s ways were not going to contribute to the success of the band. Mahilig kasi siyang gumimik noon kaya nag-suffer ang boses at professionalism niya. He would come in late during commitments at laging malat at inuubo. I, of course, gave him leeway but di din naman siya nag-improve. Ok lang na umalis na din siya kasi I knew from the start that if there’s anyone na magdadala sa M.Y.M.P., it would be Juris and her voice."
Chin cited an incident that happened when M.Y.M.P. and Michael crossed paths recently.
"M.Y.M.P. and Michael’s act were set to perform at Bagaberde the same night. Pagdating namin duon, yung mga hatak ng girlfriend niya, binabastos si Juris. Nagpaparinig sila na tipong ‘Yan ba ang dating girl friend mo? Ang pangit pala! Ang cheap!’ Of course, I had to confront them and defend Juris. Di naman pwede sa akin yon."
Some people have asked if, because of their being constant companions, Chin and Juris have not, well, developed feelings for each other yet.
"No!" Juris exclaims, laughing. "Mag-kuya lang kami ni Chin and nothing more. Kuya ko yan!"
Juris’ crush, she reveals, is Juddha Paolo whom she even took a picture of when she met him. "Ang bango-bango kasi niya at mukhang malinis. Yan ang mga gusto ko sa lalaki," she says.
Right now, though, romance has to take a backseat. There’s the Araneta concert to prepare for plus upcoming promotions for M.Y.M.P. new single "Talaga Naman."
"MYMP: Best" at Araneta Coliseum on Nov. 18 is presented by Lulu Castagnette, MYX and Joel Mendez. Sponsors include Discovery Suites, Adworks, Jollibee, Bambi Fuentes, Crossover 105.1, Wave 89.1 and Manila Bulletin.
Produced by Live Artist Production, the show will be helmed by Calvin Neria of Cast & Crew Company and has South Border’s Jay Durias, Duncan Ramos and Vince Alaras as special guests.
Among hit singles M.Y.M.P. is credited for are "A Little Bit," "Paalam Na," "Waiting In Vain," "Get Me," "No Ordinary Love," "Especially For You," "Tell Me Where It Hurts," "Sa Kanya" and "Kailan."
